Widowed bookseller Lawrence Fenton has spent a lonely lifetime hiding who he is. He has convinced himself his feelings for his far too young, gorgeous, but troubled assistant Christy Shaw are nothing more than pride in his protégé and concern for his plight.<br><br>Christy’s life involves walking fine lines: one between his mother and his abusive stepfather, one where he must keep his needs hidden, and hardest of all, one where he must keep his feelings for his serious employer to himself.<br><br>Lame since birth, Lawrence cannot imagine anyone wanting him, least of all Christy. But when Christy’s life threatens to spiral out of control, Lawrence steps in. Then Christy’s emotions spill over into a kiss under the mistletoe at Christmas. Will Lawrence be able to face the long-buried truth about himself and keep Christy by his side?

The Mistletoe Kiss

Christy ran back into the shop to find the customers filing out onto the street.


“I am so sorry,” he said to them. A few smiled and shook his hand, a lady patted him on the arm. “You’d best see to Mr. Fenton, my dear. He’s a little upset.”


Christy pushed through to find Mr. Fenton clutching his desk with one hand, ordering the customers out.


“Go on. That’s it for today, the show is over.”


“Mr. Fenton,” he said and walked over to him. “Mr. Fenton…”


“You too. Haven’t you heard enough?”


“Hush,” Christy whispered, glaring at him.


He turned to the rest of the customers. “I am so sorry for that. The man is a drunkard and a fool.”


“I’ll say,” one gentleman rumbled. “Fenton, pay no heed. No one else has. Let me pay you for these.” He held up some books. Mr. Fenton looked about to throw the man out, so Christy jumped in and took them and his money.


Chapter 24